German Measles
Published on Nov 18, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
GERMAN MEASLES
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Rubella, also called German measles or three-day measles, is a contagious viral infection best known by its distinctive red rash.
CAUSATIVE AGENT: RUBELLA VIRUS,
AN RNA VIRUS IN THE FAMILY TOGAVIRIDAE
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of rubella are often so mild that they're difficult to notice, especially in children. If signs and symptoms do occur, they generally appear between two and three weeks after exposure to the virus. They typically last about two to three days and may include:
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>Mild fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or lower
>Headache
>Stuffy or runny nose
>Inflamed, red eyes
>Enlarged, tender lymph nodes at the base of the skull, the back of the neck and behind the ears
>A fine, pink rash that begins on the face and quickly spreads to the trunk and then the arms and legs, before disappearing in the same sequence
>Aching joints, especially in young women
The rubella rash can look like many other viral rashes. So doctors usually confirm rubella with the help of laboratory tests. You may have a virus culture or a blood test, which can detect the presence of different types of rubella antibodies in your blood. These antibodies indicate whether you've had a recent or past infection or a rubella vaccine.
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Treatment
No treatment will shorten the course of rubella infection, and symptoms are so mild that treatment usually isn't necessary. However, doctors often recommend isolation from others — especially pregnant women — during the infectious period.
If you contract rubella while you're pregnant, discuss the risks to your baby with your doctor. If you wish to continue your pregnancy, you may be given antibodies called hyperimmune globulin that can fight off the infection. This can reduce your symptoms but doesn't eliminate the possibility of your baby developing congenital rubella syndrome.
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Prevention
The rubella vaccine is usually given as a combined measles-mumps-rubella inoculation, which contains the safest and most effective form of each vaccine. Doctors recommend that children receive the MMR vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, and again between 4 and 6 years of age — before entering school. It's particularly important that girls receive the vaccine to prevent rubella during future pregnancies.
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